In the Guanacaste mountain range, you’ll find Rincon de la Vieja. The area has diverse ecological habitats. Expect to see a lot of wildlife, volcanos, plant life, waterfalls, hot springs, and other volcanic activities. There are 32 rivers and streams around the Rincon de la Vieja volcano.
When I read about Rincon de la Vieja in Costa Rica, I knew I wanted to visit. I decided to schedule two days there on my vacation in Tamarindo. One of my first expectations was seeing an active volcano. Fortunately, I also saw hot springs and relaxed in their magical waters.
Key Takeaways
Rincon de la Vieja is one of the parks in the Guanacaste conservation area. It is also home to various volcanic activities. Here are my key takeaways on Rincon de la Vieja.
- You should buy Rincon de la Vieja National Park tickets through the SINAC website. The park no longer sells tickets at the gate. Tickets for adults cost around $7, and for kids between the ages of 2 and 12, they will be $6.
- The Rincon de la Vieja volcano is among the five most active volcanoes after Poás, Arenal, Irazu, and Turrialba. However, most trails leading to the active volcanoes remain closed.
- Apart from the volcano, Rincon de la Vieja National Park offers wildlife, hot springs, mud pots, and various waterfalls. Other activities include hiking, zip-lining, horseback riding, and learning about the park’s flora and fauna.
- There are various accommodation types if you want to stay near Rincon de la Vieja.
Where is Rincon de la Vieja?
Rincon de la Vieja is in Guanacaste province, in the northern part of Costa Rica. Liberia International Airport is 72 km away, while Guanacaste Airport (Airport Code LIR) is 25 km away. There is no public transport from Liberia International Airport to Rincon de la Vieja, so you might have to rent a car or arrange shuttle services.
The Guanacaste region enjoys a tropical climate with a dry season (December to April) and a wet season ( May to November). The heaviest rainfall occurs in September and October. The heat can be overwhelming during the dry season, and I recommend only staying in Rincon de la Vieja for 3-4 days.
Legend says Rincon de la Vieja means “Corner of the old woman.” The woman is Princess Curubandá, who, in her youth, fell in love with Prince Mixcoac from an enemy tribe. Her father disapproved of the relationship and threw the prince into a live volcano crater. In anger, the princess lived the rest of her life on the volcano’s slopes, healing people.
What is Rincon de la Vieja Known For?
If you visit any of the beaches in Guanacaste, I recommend a trip to the Rincon de la Vieja area. It’s one of the most secluded and remote places in Guanacaste province. The area has a national park with two volcanoes, mud pots, hot springs, waterfalls, and forests teeming with wildlife.
Volcano
The region is also home to one of the largest volcanoes in the Guanacaste region, the Rincon de la Vieja volcano. At 6,286 feet (1,916 meters) in elevation and 25 km wide, it is the third most active volcano in Costa Rica. Rincon de la Vieja volcano has nine craters.
Several trails lead to the tip of the Rincon de la Vieja volcano. However, due to its active nature, the trails are closed. Rincon de la Vieja’s most recent eruption was in June 2021. It has 32 rivers flowing down the sides and several streams.
The dormant Santa Maria volcano is also in Rincon de la Vieja National Park, as is Cerro Van Seebach.
National Park
The region has a 14,000-hectare national park with many wildlife species and plenty of flora and fauna. Rincon de la Vieja National Park is part of the Costa Rica conservation area and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park has two ranger stations: Santa Maria and Las Pailas sectors.
The unique features of each sector are listed in the table below.
| Ranger Station Name | Features |
| Las Pailas sector | 8 AM to 3 PM (Tuesday to Sunday). |
| It is easier to access, is nearer to Liberia International Airport, and has more facilities. | |
| The sector has many trails, mud pots, a seasonal waterfall, and a volcanicito (small volcano). | |
| You’ll have to pass through Hacienda Guchipelin to reach this sector. | |
| Santa Maria sector | 8 AM to 3.30 PM (Thursday to Monday). |
| You can use the hummingbird trail, a short trail passing through an old sugar mill. | |
| There is an enchanted forest waterfall, the Santa Marie mansion, cold water springs, hot springs, and many rivers. | |
| The sector provides 40% of the water in Guanacaste province. |
While hiking through the national park, you will encounter tropical wildlife. Rincon de la Vieja National Park has various wildlife species. Some species include iguanas, tapirs, jaguars, monkeys, raccoons, sloths, and nearly 300 bird species. Crested guans, not shy birds, were my favorite, as they even seemed to pose for photos.
Take a keen interest in the interesting formation of many types of trees. The park has over 7,000 plant species. You will come across the strangler figure. The tree is the result of seeds falling into the crevices of several trees. Roots grow down the host tree, killing it and creating trunks surrounding the other trees.
Waterfalls
Rincon de la Vieja has several waterfalls. One seasonal waterfall is quite impressive during the rainy season (May to November). The waterfall disappears entirely during the dry season (January to April). Only if you visit the park during the wet season will you be able to see it.
However, the other waterfalls are constant; I highlight them in the table below.
| Waterfall Name | Features |
| La Cangreja | It is a 130-foot-high waterfall deep in Rincon de la Vieja National Park. |
| The waterfall forms a beautiful blue pool at its base, hence its name, the “blue lagoon.” | |
| The hike to La Cangreja involves many uphills and downhills, and some places can be steep. | |
| There are several huge rocks before you reach La Cangreja. | |
| Escondido waterfall | The waterfall is smaller than La Cangreja. |
| It is also the most difficult to access, necessitating a steep climb that takes almost five hours. | |
| The park administrator does not allow swimming at the Escondinda waterfall. | |
| Oropendola waterfall | It is at the entrance of Rincon de la Vieja National Park. |
| The waterfall drops 82 feet, forming a bright turquoise pool at the bottom. | |
| Rio Blanco is the source of its waters. | |
| Chorreas waterfalls | It requires a moderate hike through the forest of Rincon de la Vieja. |
| The waters from two cascading waterfalls form a vibrant turquoise pool. | |
| You can swim in its calm waters or sit and observe the falls. | |
| Victoria waterfalls | The less-known waterfall drops 115 feet into Rio Negro. |
| It has a crystal-clear pool at the bottom where you can swim. |
Hot Springs
The Rio Negro Hot Springs are a must-visit. These are 10 man-made volcanic-heated springs. Their source is the hot water from the Rincon de la Vieja volcano. It’s the best place for a mud bath full of volcanic minerals. Afterwards, rinse off the mud at the river before soaking in the warm water of the hot springs.
The entrance leads to the hot springs, which have several bathrooms and changing rooms. There are also several lockers for storage of luggage. Parking at the entrance is free. The hot springs are close to the park’s entrance and are open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 p.m.
Hiking Trails
There are several hiking trails in Rincon de la Vieja, but only two are open. Both start at the entrance of the La Pailas sector. Just after the entrance, walk along the trail until you come across a hanging bridge suspended over a river. A few meters after the bridge, the trail splits into two.
The trail on the right will lead you to the volcanic activities first. However, there is no need to worry, as the trail is circular. The 3.2-kilometer trail at the park cuts through dry and rainy forests and some volcanic activity. Some of the volcanic activities you’ll come across at the trails include.
- Fumarolic Lagoon: The pond’s water is yellowish-brown due to minerals produced by volcanic activities at the base. Fumaroles create bubbles in the water.
- Water pots ( Pailas de Agua): The bubbles pop out continuously, and the water is drier and muddier than the lagoon.
- Pailas de Barro (mud pot): The mud pots are more concentrated than the water pots and have a dark color similar to chocolate bars.
- Mini volcano: A section with a crevasse on the ground releases volcanic smoke. There is a pungent odor coming from the ground.
- Fumaroles: Openings in the ground that emit sulfurous gases. One part has continuous bubbling and boiling water.
Accommodation Options Near Rincon de la Vieja
If you want to stay near Rincon de la Vieja, you can choose from haciendas, rustic cabins, or eco-lodges. Here are some of the accommodation options I highly recommend.
- Hacienda Guachipelin: Next to Rincon de la Vieja, the hacienda has comfortable and spacious rooms. You’ll have sumptuous meals at their onsite restaurant before and after your day’s activities at the park. If you’re staying at the hacienda, you’ll have free access to the Rio Negro hot springs.
- Hotel Rincon de la Vieja Lodge is between the Rincon de la Vieja and the Miravalles volcanoes. It is 5 minutes from the La Cangreja waterfall. The hotel has spacious rooms, a pool, a bar, and an on-site restaurant. You can get packed lunches from the restaurant as you set out for your day’s activities.
- Borinquen Thermal Resort offers standard bungalows, rooms, villas, and a junior suite. La Carreta restaurant serves traditional Costa Rican meals, and El Zaguán bar and grill serves cocktails. The wet bar near the pool offers snacks.
- Buena Vista Lodge is in the rainforest at the foothills of Rincon de la Vieja National Park. It has 76 different room types and cabins. Among the various facilities at the lodge is a spa.
Whether you’re looking for a luxurious retreat, a volcanic adventure, or an immersive wildlife experience, we’ve got you covered. Read our Full Guide and Review of Occidental Papagayo for insights on a top-notch resort.
Conclusion
I highly recommend a visit to Rincon de la Vieja. It’s one of the most exciting places in Costa Rica. In addition to seeing an active volcano, you can visit various waterfalls and witness the aftermath of volcanic activities. Ensure a mud bath and a few hours in the hot springs are part of the itinerary.
Have you ever visited Rincon de la Vieja? Please share your experience.
About Michelle Schmidt
Born in California, Michelle traveled extensively through the USA and Europe before moving to South Florida during the pandemic. Her career in Marketing has taken her all across the world. Her favorite country is France but she'll never turn down a beach vacation!
